Horse-blinder



(No Model.)

G. J. KANNMAOHER.

HORSE BLINDER.

No. 461,957. Patented Oct. 27,1891.

1n: NOYIRIS PEYEHS co., PNUTO-UTHO., mamas-r0". n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE J. KANNMAOHER, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

HORSE-BLINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 461,957, dated October 27, 1891.

Application filed March 12, 1891; Serial No. 384,832. No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE .I. KANN- MAOHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Horse- Blinders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the bridle of a horseharness, its object being to prevent the horse from shying at unusual sights and for controlling him when running away or otherwise unruly. This object is attained by means of a curtain or blind which may be caused to cover the eyes of the horse, said curtain being operated by the driver.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of my horse-blinder attached to a bridle in position on a horse. Fig. 2 is the same showing the curtain lowered and covering the eyes of the horse. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal horizontal section of the frame containing the spring-roller. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on dotted line a, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on dotted line b, Fig. 3.

This invention consists of a frame 1 Within which is journaled a roller 2, longitudinally slotted to receive and retain the edge of a curtain 3 of flexible material. Forming the ends of this frame are two disks 4 and 5, the latter being recessed to contain a helical spring 6, the outer end of which is affixed to the disk 5 and the inner end connected with the end of the roller 2, the curtain 3 being wound upon the roller before the spring is afiixed thereto. That portion of the frame lying between the disks of the ends is covered with leather or other suitable material,

through which is cut a slot 7 for the passage of the curtain. It will thus be seen that unrolling the curtain rotates the roller against the force of the spring, which, when the curtain is released, rewinds the curtain about the roller. To the lower edge of the curtain is attached an ornamental piece 8 of some stiff material turned backward at its outer ends to hold the curtain when unrolled in a position to more perfectly cover the eyes of the horse. To this stiffening-piece are secured two straps 9 and 10, which, diverging, pass down each side of the horses nose through the rings of the bit and through those on the back-pad in to the drivers hands. When the horse viciously or through fear becomes unruly or attempts to run away, this strap is pulled by the driver, drawing the curtain down over the horses eyes, blindfolding him and rendering him helpless. The curtain is held down until the horse becomes quiet, when by releasing the strap the spring rotates the roller and winds the curtain out of the way.

The disks at each end of the frame, being of ornamental design, answer as rosettes for the bridle, and the frame, otherwise decorated, is an ornament to the harness.

I attach my improved blinder to the bridle by means of straps and buckles 11 in such a manner that the blinder can be easily attached and removed from the harness.

I claim as my invention A horse-blinder comprising a frame located between the horses ears and eyes and se cured to the brow-band, saidv frame covered with leather and having a slot along its lower edge, a spring-actuated roller supported by the frame, a curtain of flexible material connected with the roller and extending through the slot, an ornamental stiffening-piece secured to the lower edge of the curtain of sufficient dimensions to cover the horses eyes when drawn down, and a flexible connection between the stiffening-piece and the driver for drawing the curtain down over the horses eyes against the action of the spring.

Witnesses:

L. L. MILLER,

A. O. BEHEL. 

